A



Windham County, Vermont

Successful Aging

Community Study

August 2007

Prepared for the

Windham Regional Healthy Aging Steering Committee

Funded by: United Way of Windham County,

the Thomas Thompson Trust & the Council on Aging

for Southeastern Vermont,Inc.

|TMF |The Medical Foundation |

95 Berkeley Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

617-451-0049



Table of Contents

Introduction 3

I. BACKGROUND 5

III. STUDY FINDINGS 7

A. COMMUNITY PROFILE 7

1. Location 7

2. Demographics 8

3. Racial/Ethnic Distribution 19

4. Land Development Patterns 20

5. Social Environment 21

B. ECONOMIC INDICATORS 24

1. Employment 24

2. Income and Poverty Status 27

3. Housing 31

4. Housing Costs 33

C. TRANSPORTATION 36

1. Commuting 37

2. Public Transportation 38

3. Walking 39

D. CRIME 40

E. EDUCATION 41

1. Literacy 41

2. Educational Attainment 41

3. Opportunities for Education/Training 42

F. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 43

1. Health/Human Service Indicators 43

2. Health Care Access 47

3. Human Services 52

IV. VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF WINDHAM COUNTY 55

V. RECOMMENDED NEXT STEPS 57

Appendix I: Advisory Group 61

Appendix II: Sources of Secondary/Existing Data 62

Appendix III: Windham County Community Survey 63

Appendix IV: Windham County Area Survey Summary Tables 70

Appendix V: Interview and Focus Group Guide 74

Appendix VI: Interview and Focus Group Participants 77

Appendix VII: Vision Statements from Focus Groups and Interviews 80

Windham County, Vermont

Successful Aging Community Study

August 2007

Introduction

In 2004, the Windham County Long Term Care Network established a subgroup, the Windham Regional Healthy Aging Steering Committee (WRHASC). The charges for this committee were to:

• conduct an assessment of state and local data including an examination of the needs and available resources for an aging population within the area;

• create a vision of a livable and viable community for all, particularly the aging population; and

• develop an action plan to meet the continuing needs of the aging population in the Windham County area.

In 2006, the committee contracted with The Medical Foundation (TMF) to conduct a countywide study to examine issues relating to the aging population. The study, completed in May 2007, included three components:

• a quantitative analysis of regional demographic, health, and social indicators, including comparisons to state and national statistics;

• a quantitative community survey of opinions and priorities of local residents; and

• a qualitative assessment via focus groups and interviews of individuals representing a broad cross-section of the community.

Key Findings

It is important to note that this assessment is a snapshot of the existing conditions in 2006-2007. While participants were asked to envision the future, no one can fully predict the impact of the socio-economic and demographic changes – including the dramatic increase of individuals 65 and older - in Windham County. There are many positive benefits of an increasing proportion of aging residents in the region. Yet, the following challenges should remain at the forefront of all planning and outreach:

• There will be a dramatic rise in the aging population in the next 15-30 years. The next generation, of smaller population size, will be asked to provide an increased variety of support for their elders.

• Increased support will require significantly greater regional contributions of time, money and other resources to cover growing support and costs associated with elders’ needs.

• This intergenerational balance of need and support will be a significant social and financial issue in the 21st century in this community and nationally.

• The current and future availability of appropriate assisted living and nursing home facilities is a matter of serious concern to a majority of county residents. While the Vermont Choices for Care program has increased the choices available for Medicaid recipients, there are inadequate resources for handling the increased regional demand for such services in the future.

• The lack of affordable and appropriate housing is a serious problem for elderly residents of Windham County. Although the State of Vermont identified housing affordability as a significant problem over twenty years ago and has taken some steps to address the issue, the problem remains as serious, or more so, than ever, and current state and federal budget constraints and priorities have resulted in reductions in funding for housing programs.

• Public and volunteer transportation in the region consists of a fragile set of scattered services to a geographically dispersed population. These services are struggling for funding just to maintain fixed route public transportation at current levels. As current trends continue, the need for such services will increase.

BACKGROUND

In 2004, the Windham County Long Term Care Network established a subgroup, the Windham Regional Healthy Aging Steering Committee. The Committee represents a range of interests including consumers, advocates, providers, and other dedicated individuals. The charges for this committee were to:

• conduct an assessment of state and local data including an examination of the needs and available resources for an aging population within the area;

• create a vision of a livable and viable community for all, particularly the aging population; and

• develop an action plan to meet the continuing needs of the aging population in the Windham County area.

In thinking about developing a plan to improve the quality of life for the older adult population of Windham County two main issues guided the group’s discussion. First, elder services and long term care needs will have growing, and ultimately profound, impact on Windham County individuals and communities; and these communities do not yet comprehend the full magnitude or extent of this impact. Second, Windham County, like the State of Vermont as a whole, lacks the information needed to implement a comprehensive approach to meeting long-term care needs – an approach service providers and the public will have confidence in and will support

In 2006, the committee contracted with The Medical Foundation (TMF) to conduct a countywide study to examine issues relating to the aging population. This study examined a broad range of demographic, economic, education, health and social factors that impact the lives of individuals, families, and institutions within the area. The study findings will be shared with individuals and organizations serving Windham County so they may develop a plan to create a livable and viable community and meet the continuing, growing needs of the aging population in Windham County. Funding for this study was provided to the Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont by the United Way of Windham County and the Thomas Thompson Trust.

STUDY METHODOLOGY

To conduct this study, TMF used a participatory community assessment process that included quantitative and qualitative data collection and analyses. The geographic focus of the study is Windham County, Vermont. The study methods were guided and informed by an 11 member Advisory Group. A list of members is provided in Appendix I.

Quantitative Information

The first part of the quantitative analyses included numerical representations of various demographic, health, and social indicators of the communities in Windham County in comparison to the state and country as a whole. The majority of the data is reported for one point in time, but where relevant, data are documented over time. Appendix II contains a list of national, state, county, and town data sources that were utilized. Examples include the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice, United Health Foundation, Vermont Department of Labor, Vermont Department of Taxes, Vermont Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and Vermont Agency of Human Services. Because of the variety of data sources utilized, data are presented by the State of Vermont, Windham County, or town when available.

A second component of the quantitative data was a community survey that recorded respondents’ opinions regarding various aspects of living in Windham County and priorities for the area. A copy of this survey is provided in Appendix III. Respondents are from a convenience sample rather than a random sample. The survey was available as a self-administered, paper and pencil questionnaire, as well as available on the Internet to individuals in their homes or at community-based locations such as senior centers and public libraries. The total number of survey respondents was 336. Of this total, 328 respondents reside in the geographic area of focus for this study; eight respondents reside in other areas with ties to the Windham County. For the purposes of this report, only data from the 328 respondents are discussed. Of these 328 respondents, the majority were: female (70%), with an average age of 67 years, white, non-Hispanic (98.8%), married (48.6%) or widowed (21.8%), retired (61.4%), live in their own home (66.2%), and have lived in Windham County, for an average of 35 years. A little more than one half of the survey respondents (53.9%) are living on an income of less than $35,000 annually, with an average of two people being supported by this income. The primary source of income for survey respondents is Social Security benefits (61.6%), though many of these same respondents reported other sources of support as well, including wages, savings, and pensions. Detailed demographic tables of the respondents are provided in Appendix IV. Throughout the report narrative, the survey question results are included within the appropriate topic area, as are selected anonymous comments from open-ended survey questions.

Qualitative Information

The purpose of the qualitative data collection was to add a context to the quantitative data by including the voice of community leaders and residents regarding the current assets, needs, and resources of the Windham County area. Qualitative information was gathered through a series of 13 focus groups and interviews with five key informants (a total of 145 individuals). Participants in the focus groups and interviews included representatives of area nonprofits, community-based organizations; health and medical providers; local businesses; elected officials; planners; community leaders; and private citizens. Youth, working age adults, and senior citizens were also represented.

Each focus group was facilitated by TMF staff or trained volunteers utilizing a focus group guide to ensure consistency across groups. One staff member or volunteer facilitated each discussion, while another staff member or volunteer took detailed notes of the conversation. On average, focus groups were 90 minutes in length. Interviews were conducted in person or via telephone and lasted approximately 30 to 60 minutes. Each interview was conducted using an interview guide to ensure consistency across interviews. The collected information was analyzed thematically, looking for similarities and differences across responses. A copy of the focus group and interview guide is provided in Appendix V and a complete listing of the participants in the focus groups and interviews is provided in Appendix VI. Selected quotes – without personal identifying information – are presented in the narrative of this report to further illustrate points within topic areas.

STUDY FINDINGS

1 COMMUNITY PROFILE

This section of the report provides a community profile of Windham County, including its location, demographic composition, cultural diversity, and social environment.

Location

Windham County, highlighted in red in Figure 1, is one of fourteen counties in Vermont and is the Southeastern-most county in the State. Vermont, with an area of 9,614 square miles, is the 5th smallest state in the United States. Windham County’s 798 square miles are comprised of 789 square miles of land and 9 square miles of water and account for approximately 8.3% of the total area in the State. It is bordered to the North by Windsor County, Vermont, to the Northeast by Sullivan County, New Hampshire, to the East by Cheshire County, New Hampshire, to the South by Franklin County, Massachusetts, and to the West by Bennington County, Vermont. The largest town in Windham County is Brattleboro, which is located in the southeast area of the County.

Figure 1: Map of the State of Vermont

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Participants in the community assessment identified the “rural nature” and “beautiful, natural surroundings” of the Windham County area as an asset. The area contains numerous state and local parks, preserved and undeveloped areas. These sites offer a wide variety of recreational activities, including camping, mountain biking, walking, hiking, boating, birding, and fishing.

Demographics

This section of the report focuses on population trends in Windham County. All data reported here are from the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau unless otherwise indicated.

Individuals

Table 1 is a population profile of towns in Windham County. In 2000, the total population of Windham County was 44,216. According to U.S. Census data in 2000, the most heavily populated town in this area is Brattleboro, with a population of 12,005. Approximately 27% of Windham County inhabitants resided there. The smallest town was Somerset, which had a population of five.

Table 1: Population of Windham County, 2000

|  |Population |

|Windham County, Specific Towns | |

|Brattleboro town |12,005 |

|Rockingham, including the Village of Bellows Falls |5,309 |

|Westminster town |3,210 |

|Putney town |2,634 |

|Wilmington town |2,225 |

|Vernon town |2,141 |

|Guilford town |2,046 |

|Dummerston town |1,915 |

|Londonderry town |1,709 |

|Newfane town |1,680 |

|Dover town |1,410 |

|Whitingham town |1,298 |

|Townshend town |1,149 |

|Marlboro town |978 |

|Jamaica town |946 |

|Wardsboro town |854 |

|Halifax town |782 |

|Grafton town |649 |

|Brookline town |467 |

|Athens town |340 |

|Windham town |328 |

|Stratton town |136 |

|Somerset town |5 |

|Total Population |44,216 |

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000

Figure 2 illustrates population trends for the Windham County area from 1990 to 2000. The population of Windham County alone increased 6.3% during this ten-year period, compared to increases of 8.2% statewide in Vermont and 13.2% nationwide. Twenty of the towns in the geographic focus area for this study experienced population increases and two towns experienced decreases during this same time period. The largest increase, 41.9%, was seen in Dover. The largest decrease (3.2%) occurred in Rockingham, which includes the Village of Bellows Falls. Also of note is that the County’s largest town, Brattleboro, documented a 1.9% decrease in population.

Figure 2: Population Change in Windham County, 1990 to 2000

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000

In the 2000 Census, 76.5% of the Windham County population was 18 years old or older, slightly higher than Vermont (75.8%) and the United States (74.3%). As seen in Figure 3, of this adult population, individuals 25 to 44 years old account for 36.8% of the population in Windham County, lower than that of Vermont (38.3%) and the United States (40.7%).

Figure 3: Percentage of Adult Population 18 to 24 Years Old and 25 to 44 Years Old in Windham County, 2000

[pic]

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000

In reference to Figure 4, individuals age 45 to 64 represent 35.6% of Windham County adult population, more than that of Vermont (32.7%) and the United States (29.6%). Additionally, individuals age 65 and over constitute 18.3% of the Windham County adult population, compared with 16.8% statewide and 16.7% nationally. As the 45 to 64 year old population ages, this cohort will have a significant impact on the increase in the proportion of elders living in Windham County.

Figure 4: Percentage of Adult Population 45 to 64 Years Old and 65 and Older in Windham County, 2000

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000

The working age population (20 to 64 year olds) in Windham County is expected to decrease slightly. In reference to Table 2, the portion of the Windham County population age 20 to 64 years old is projected to increase 2.2% between 2005 and 2010 and decrease by 2.4% between 2010 and 2015. This varies from the projections for the same population in Vermont and the United States. In Vermont, the 20 to 64 year old population is expected to increase by 4.7% between 2005 and 2010, with a slight increase of 0.9% between 2010 and 2015. In the United States, the 20 to 64 year old population is expected to increase by 4.9% between 2005 and 2010 and 2.6% for the period from 2010 to 2015.

Table 2: Population Projections, Age 20 to 64 Years Old, 2005 to 2015

|Year |Windham  County |% Change in |Vermont |% Change in |United States |% Change in |

| | |Previous 5 Years | |Previous 5 Years | |Previous 5 years |

|2005 |27,534 | |389,151 | |176,839,447 | |

|2015 |27,463 |-2.4% |411,134 |0.9% |190,367,063 |2.6% |

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000

Between 1990 and 2000, the State saw an 8.9% increase in the number of residents aged 65 to 74 and a 19.6% increase in residents between the ages of 75 and 84. Windham County experienced a similar increase in residents aged 65 to 74 of 8.5% and a 16.0% increase for residents between the ages of 75 and 84. In the U.S., the number of residents aged 65 to 74 increased by 1.5% and the number of residents between the ages of 75 and 84 increased by 16.0%.

As highlighted in Table 3, the number of seniors in Windham County (age 65 and older) is projected to grow significantly by 15.3% from 2005 to 2010 and 24.1% from 2010 to 2015. These percentages are slightly higher than the statewide projections of 13.6% and 21.6%, respectively for the same time period. Population projections for this age cohort in the U.S. are expected to grow by 9.7% between 2005 to 2010 and by 16.3% between 2010 and 2015.

Table 3: Population Projections, Age 65 and older, 2005 to 2015

|Year |Windham  County |% Change in |Vermont |% Change in |United States |% Change in |

| | |Previous 5 Years | |Previous 5 Years | |Previous 5 years |

|2005 |6,578 | |82,398 | |36,695,904 | |

|2015 |9,419 |24.1% |113,898 |21.6% |46,790,727 |16.3% |

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2005

As depicted in Figure 5, Windham County has a higher proportion of residents aged 85 and older than both Vermont and the United States. In 2000, these eldest residents comprised 2.0% of the population in Windham County compared to 1.6% in Vermont and 1.5% in the United States. However, Windham County, Vermont, and the United States all experienced increases in this population segment, though the rate of growth observed in Windham County, was slower than that of Vermont or the United States.

Figure 5: Percent of Population, Age 85 and Older, 1990 & 2000

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000

This subset of Windham County’s elderly residents is projected to continue to increase, though the rate of growth in this group appears to be slightly slowing down. Referring to Table 4, the number of Windham County residents, age 85 and older, is expected to increase 10.2% from 2005 to 2010 and 8.8% from 2010 to 2015. Though this increase is significant, it is slightly less than the projected statewide increases of 13.6% and 10.7%, respectively, for these same time periods and lower than the projected increases of 19.6% and 11.4% for the United States.

Table 4: Population Projections, Age 85 and older, 2005-2015

|Year |Windham  County |% Increase in |Vermont |% Increase in |United States |% Increase in |

| | |Previous 5 years | |Previous 5 years | |Previous 5 years |

|2005 |932 | |11,272 | |5,120,394 | |

|2015 |1,117 |8.8% |14,173 |10.7% |6,821,666 |11.4% |

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2005

In 2005, older women outnumbered older men in Vermont. As seen in Table 5, the gender breakdown of residents aged 65 and older is 57.6% female versus 42.4% male, figures that are almost identical to those observed nationwide according to the 2005 American Community Survey. In 2005, among the 85 and older population, males comprised only 30.0% of the population and females 70.0%. The ratio is expected to shift in this group, as the life expectancy of men increases and the number of males ages 85 and older grows. By 2015, it is projected that the gender distribution in this age group (85 and older) will be 68.0% female and 32.0% male. Similar projections are unavailable at the local level for Windham County.

Table 5: Population Projections for Vermont Seniors by Gender, 2005-2015

|Year |2005 |% |2015 |% |% Increase Over 10 |

| | | | | |Years |

|Aged 65+ | | | | | |

|Male |34,867 |42.4% |50,583 |44.6% |45.1% |

|Female |47,041 |57.6% |62,904 |55.4% |32.8% |

|Aged 85+ | | | | | |

|Male |3,553 |30.0% |5,097 |32.0% |43.4% |

|Female |8,286 |70.0% |10,832 |68.0% |30.7% |

Source: U. S. Census Bureau, 2005

The rise in the number of residents aged 65 and older in Vermont is expected to occur at rate higher than that of other states. In reference to Table 6 the percentage of the State’s population age 65 and older is expected to almost double from 12.7% in 2000 to 24.4% in 2030. While Vermont ranked 26th in the nation in the largest population percentage of seniors in 2000, it is projected to rank 8th by 2030.

Table 6: Ranking of Vermont among the 50 States, Projected Population Age 65 and Older

|Year |% Population ≥65 Years |Rank among 50 states |

|2000 |12.7% |26 |

|2010 |14.3% |11 |

|2030 |24.4% |8 |

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2005

Households

The way people are organized into households can provide insight into community needs and help local governments, elder services, and other institutions anticipate demand for services. All residents live in either group quarters or a household. Examples of group quarters include institutional settings such as correctional facilities, nursing homes and mental hospitals or non-institutional settings such as military barracks, group homes, college dormitories, missions and shelters. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a household is synonymous with a housing unit, and the number of households is equal to the number of occupied housing units. Households are classified into two broad categories: a) family households consisting of related persons – married couples[1], couples with children, and siblings living together in a housing unit, and b) non-family households consisting of either persons living alone or unrelated persons sharing a housing unit. This data gives planners additional information on individual needs and the delivery of services.

As illustrated in Table 7, there were 18,375 households in Windham County in 2000. The number of households has been steadily increasing and has more than doubled over the past 50 years. However, the number of households statewide has grown at a slightly quicker rate compared to Windham County. As a result, the proportion of Vermont households located in Windham County has slowly but consistently decreased from 8.1% in 1950 to 7.6% in 2000.

Table 7: Windham County Households, 1950 to 2000

|Year |Windham County |Vermont |Percent of VT households located|

| | | |in Windham County |

|1950 |8,425 |103,538 |8.1% |

|1960 |8,959 |110,754 |8.1% |

|1970 |10,464 |132,041 |7.9% |

|1980 |13,918 |178,394 |7.8% |

|1990 |16,264 |210,650 |7.7% |

|2000 |18,375 |240,634 |7.6% |

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000

Household composition in Windham County is fairly similar to that of Vermont statewide. In reference to Table 8, in 2000, family households were the majority at 62.4% of total households in Windham County and 63.0% of households in Vermont. In 2000, in both Windham County and Vermont, most family households consisted of married couples (49.2% in Windham County and 48.5% in Vermont), and the majority of non-family households consisted of a single person living alone (29.7% in Windham County and 27.8% in Vermont). In 2000, in Windham County, average household size was 2.4 individuals and average family size was 2.9 individuals. The averages for Vermont in 2000, were marginally higher, with an average household size at 2.4 individuals and an average family size at 3.0 individuals.

Table 8: Family and Household Characteristics

| |Windham County |Vermont |

| |Count |% |Count |% |

|Total Households |18,375 |100% |248,825 |100% |

|Family households – total (families) |11,456 |62.4% |156,832 |63.0% |

|Married couple family |9,039 |49.2% |120,684 |48.5% |

|Female householder, no spouse |1,770 |9.6% |24,632 |9.9% |

| Male householder, no spouse |647 |3.5% |11,516 |4.6% |

|Non-family households – total |6,919 |37.7% |91,993 |37.0% |

|Householder living alone |5,463 |29.7% |69,050 |27.8% |

| 2+ persons |1,456 |7.9% |22,943 |9.2% |

|Average household size |2.4 |- |2.4 |- |

|Average family size |2.9 |- |3.0 |- |

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000

Household composition in Windham County changed significantly from 1990 to 2000. As illustrated in Table 9, the number of family households in Windham County increased 5.4% during this period, while non-family households increased 28.2%. The single largest change in the non-family household category was a 30.7% increase in a householder living alone. During this same period, there were modest decreases in average household size (-5.6%) and average family size (-3.6%).

Table 9: Changes in Windham County Household and Family Characteristics

| |1990 |2000 |Change |

| |Count |% |Count |% |Count |% |

|Total Households |16,264 |- |18,375 |- |2111 |13.0% |

|Family households – total (families) |10,867 |66.8% |11,456 |62.4% |589 |5.4% |

|Married couple family |8,783 |54.0% |9,039 |49.2% |256 |2. 9% |

|Female householder, no spouse |1,574 |9.7% |1,770 |9.6% |196 |1.2% |

| Male householder, no spouse |510 |3.1% |647 |3.5% | | |

|Non-family households – total |5,397 |33.1% |6,919 |37.7% |1522 |28.2% |

|Householder living alone |4,180 |25.7% |5,463 |29.7% |1283 |30.7% |

| 2+ persons |1,217 |7.5% |1,456 |7.9% |239 |19.6% |

|Average household size |2.5 |- |2.4 |- |-.14 |-5.6% |

|Average family size |3.0 |- |2.9 |- |-.11 |-3.6% |

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1990, 2000

Figure 6 depicts the Windham County total population living in group quarters from 1960 to 2000. In 2000, 1,126 Windham County residents lived in group quarters. Though this number has been significantly higher in the past, peaking at 1,885 individuals in 1970, in the last 25 years this figure has remained relatively stable.

Figure 6: Windham County Total Population Living in Group Quarters, 1960 to 2000

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000

In 2000, there were 378 institutionalized persons (persons under formally authorized, supervised care, or custody) in Windham County, as described in Table 10. The institutionalized population of Windham County in 2000 was comprised entirely of nursing home residents. In 2000, the overall institutionalized population and the subset of institutionalized persons in nursing homes was at its lowest point in 20 years in both Windham County and Vermont.

Table 10: Institutionalized Population, 1980-2000

|Year |Windham County |Windham County Institutionalized |Vermont |Vermont Institutionalized |

| | |Population in Nursing Homes | |Population in Nursing Homes |

|1980 |487 |431 |5,487 |4,354 |

|1990 |519 |483 |6,161 |4,809 |

|2000 |378 |378 |5,663 |4,037 |

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1990, 2000

In 2000, households with individuals age 65 and older, accounted for 23.3% of the households in Windham County (Table11). This percent is about the same for Vermont at 22.5% and the U.S. at 23.4%. In terms of the composition of these households, in Windham County and Vermont, elders aged 65 and older were more likely to reside alone (43.6% in Windham County, 42.4% in Vermont) than elders nationwide (39.4%).

Table 11: Households, Age 65 and Older, 2000

|Household type |Windham County |Vermont |USA |

| |Count |Percent |Count |Percent |Count |Percent |

|Total Households |18,375 |100% |240,634 |100% |105,480,101 |100% |

|Households w/members aged 65 + |4,284 |23.3% |54,149 |22.5% |24,672,708 |23.4% |

|2+ person |2,415 |56.4% |31,194 |57.6% |14,949,851 |60.6% |

|Householder living alone |1,869 |43.6% |22,955 |42.4% |9,722,857 |39.4% |

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000

Current population trends are of great interest to those planning for the future. Referring back to Table 6, Windham County will have a significant percentage of residents who are age 65 and older. By 2030, this percentage of elders 65 and older is expected to increase dramatically. If current trends in the composition of households continue, the numbers of elders living alone will increase and there will be an even greater need for a wide variety of services to support this aging population and their caregivers.

Racial/Ethnic Distribution

Table 12 documents the racial/ethnic breakdown of Windham County residents. In 2000, residents of Windham County were primarily Caucasian (97.0%). Though the number of Windham County residents from other racial and ethnic groups, including African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asians, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics/Latinos, and individuals of other (undefined races) grew at rates ranging from 31% to 64% from 1990-2000, they still comprised less than 3% of the total population. These racial/ethnic distributions and trends reflect those documented in Vermont.

Table 12: Population by Race and Ethnicity, Changes from 1990 to 2000

| |Windham County |Windham County |% Change in Windham |Vermont 1990 |Vermont |% Change in |

| |1990 |2000 |County | |2000 |Vermont |

|Total |41891 |44082 | |566419 |606855 | |

|Caucasian |41,012 |42,764 |+4% |555,088 |589,208 |+6% |

| |(97.9%) |(97.0%) | |(98.0%) |(97.1%) | |

|African American |157 |223 |+42% |1,951 |3,063 |+57% |

| |(.4%) |(.5%) | |(.3%) |(.5%) | |

|American Indian or |74 |97 |+31% |1,696 |2,420 |+43% |

|Alaska Native |(.2%) |(.2%) | |(.3%) |(.4%) | |

|Asian / Pacific |259 |364 |+41% |3,215 |5,217 |+62% |

|Islander |(.6%) |(.8%) | |(.6%) |(.9%) | |

|Hispanic / Latino |303 |493 |+63% |3,661 |5,504 |+50% |

|(of any race |(.7%) |(1.1%) | |(.7%) |(.9%) | |

|Other race |86 |141 |+64% |808 |1,443 |+79% |

| |(.2%) |(.3%) | |(.1%) |(.2%) | |

Sources: U.S. Census, 1990, 2000

Land Development Patterns

Through the early 1950’s, the majority of Windham County area residents lived along public transit lines or within walking distance of necessary services or social contacts. Historically, people lived in villages or had ready access to public transit. Beginning in the 1950s, as the road system expanded to include highways and people had more access to private cars, communities expanded and most new development was outside of the concentrated village and town areas. This is evident in Figure 7, for the Town of Putney. Buildings existing in 1962 are shown as black dots and are concentrated around the center of Putney. New buildings between 1962 and 1977 marked in red are concentrated along Route 5 and Interstate 91. Buildings added between 1977 and 2002 are purple. This change in development patterns spread the housing away from public transit and reduced the proximity of households to services. This development pattern is similar to that of many other towns in the area.

Figure 7: Existing Buildings in Putney, Vermont, 2002

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Social Environment

For the purpose of this report, the social environment refers to the general interaction among residents and their opportunities for civic, recreational, religious, social, and retail activities.

An important theme that emerged from focus groups was that Windham residents felt a strong sense of community. Participants frequently commented on the sense that their neighbors are their friends and they are concerned about what happens in their communities.

For survey respondents, these opportunities to participate in community-related activities are extremely important, and they would like to see them expanded. Table 13 outlines the social environment priorities among survey respondents. Over 70% of survey respondents report that increasing civic and volunteer opportunities for seniors has a high /medium priority. Over two thirds of survey respondents reported that increasing opportunities for indoor recreation and socializing with other adults has a high/medium priority. Almost two thirds of survey respondents reported that increasing opportunities for intergenerational activities, outdoor recreation and entertainment has a high/medium priority.

Over half of survey respondents reported that improving access to food stores (69.5%), clothing and retail store (65.2%), internet and e-mail (56.8%) and places of worship (50.2%) has a high/medium priority.

Table 13: Priorities for Development of the Social Environment among Survey Respondents

| |Priority Level |

|Developing more opportunities for… |High |Medium |Low |Don’t Know |

|Socializing with other adults |29.9% |37.6% |23.1% |9.4% |

|Civic involvement |29.2% |43.2% |16.9% |10.6% |

|Volunteering |28.4% |44.0% |19.4% |8.2% |

|Indoor recreation |26.2% |42.9% |22.7% |8.2% |

|Intergenerational activities |25.8% |39.5% |24.0% |10.7% |

|Outdoor recreation |20.1% |44.9% |29.1% |6.0% |

|Entertainment |19.0% |36.2% |37.1% |7.8% |

|Improving Access to… | | | | |

|Food stores |42.2% |27.3% |23.2% |6.9% |

|Clothing and retail stores |32.4% |32.8% |28.6% |6.2% |

|Internet and email |22.2% |34.6% |29.9% |13.2% |

|Places of worship |17.7% |32.5% |38.1% |11.7% |

Vermont residents are extremely active on a civic level. According to the New York Public Interest Research Group, in 2004, 62.3% of Vermont residents voted compared to 52.3% of the U.S. population. Over 60% of survey respondents reported volunteering in the past year, for an average of 13.4 hours per month. Vermont also has one of the nation’s highest rates of volunteerism at 39.8%, though focus group participants indicated that they would like to see even more residents volunteer in the community.

Focus group participants feel that the Windham County area lacks sufficient intergenerational opportunities for seniors. Increasing opportunities for seniors to interact with others, across the lifespan, is important to focus group participants as well as, survey respondents. Focus group participants indicated a need for increased indoor and outdoor recreational activities. Specific indoor recreation activities identified by focus groups participants as appealing include senior-friendly resources like pools, walking tracks, and group fitness programs. Focus group participants also emphasized their interest in recreational activities such as hiking, camping, and hunting.

Focus group participants also noted a large number of local individual artists and the important role they play in the community both socially and economically. Focus group participants frequently noted the arts community as an asset to the area and indicated that they would like to see more arts activities developed in the area.

Focus group participants also reported that they would welcome an improvement in choices of retail outlets for the purchase of food and clothing. Focus group participants also shared that having increased access to Internet and email would be an additional opportunity to connect with others.

Despite the positive social environment of Windham County described by many focus group participants, some expressed a fear of isolation as they grow older. They discussed concerns of increasing struggles for aging individuals to get the services and support they might need and a lack of awareness among the general population of the aging process. They would like to see the “community of caring” that they have experienced in Windham County, develop a greater respect for aging individuals and a greater understanding of the aging process itself, and for seniors to be able to take a more active role in the community. In addition, some focus group participants, identified other characteristics that foster a sense of community, like in-town housing choices, access to services without depending on a personal automobile, and opportunities to socialize with friends and neighbors. One participant noted, “It is a lot easier to have a supportive community if you live in a village or neighborhood.”

Notwithstanding their concerns, the majority of survey respondents believe that Windham County is appealing to seniors. As shown in Table 14, 86.2% of respondents strongly agree or agree with the statement “Windham County is a good place to grow older”, whereas, only 7% of respondents disagree or strongly disagree with the statement.

Table 14: Agreement/Disagreement with Statement “Windham County is a good place to grow older” among Survey Respondents

|Response |Percent |

|Strongly Agree |29.9% |

|Agree |56.3% |

|Disagree |6.3% |

|Strongly Disagree |0.7% |

|Don’t Know |6.9% |

2 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

This section of the report focuses on the economic indicators of employment, income, and housing.

Employment

As depicted in Table 15, in 2005, both Windham County and Vermont were experiencing similar and somewhat low rates of unemployment, at 3.4%, and 3.5%, respectively, compared to 5.1% for the U.S. In the first half of the decade, Windham County experienced a 0.4% increase in the rate of unemployment compared to a 0.6% increase in Vermont and a 1.1% increase in the U.S.

Table 15: Employment Characteristics and Trends, 2000 - 2005

| |Windham County |Vermont |United States |

|Unemployment Rate (percent) | |

| 2000 |3.0% |2.9% |4.0 |

| 2005 |3.4% |3.5% |5.1 |

| % change in Unemployment rate |+0.4% |+0.6% |+1.1% |

|2000-2005 | | | |

|Labor Force (count) | |

| 2000 |22,600 |331,550 |142,500,000 |

| 2005 |25,050 |355,900 |149,500,000 |

| % Change in Labor Force |+10.8 |+7.3% |+4.9% |

|2000-2005 | | | |

|Covered Employment (count) | |

| 2000 |24,067 |296,468 |129,877,063 |

| 2005 |22,978 |298,491 |131,571,623 |

| % Change in Covered Employment|-4.5% |+0.7% |+1.3% |

|2000-2005 | | | |

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vermont Department of Labor, US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2006

The labor force is a measure of residents age 16 and older who are employed or are unemployed but looking for work. The estimate includes agricultural workers, unpaid family members, and the self-employed. In 2005, there were approximately 25,050 individuals in Windham County’s labor force compared to 331,550 individuals in Vermont’s labor force. Windham County saw an increase of 10.8% in its labor force from 2000 to 2005 compared to 7.3% in Vermont and 4.9% in the U.S.

Covered employment is a measure of residents employed in jobs that are governed by Vermont’s Unemployment Compensation law. Jobs that are “off the books” are not included, as well as those jobs where one is self-employed or works in an agricultural production firm. Covered employment in Windham County decreased 4.5% from 2000 to 2004 compared to a slight increase of 0.7% in Vermont.

In 1999, the median earnings for individuals 16 years and older in Windham County was $20,960 and $21,497 for Vermont. Both areas had lower median earnings than the nation as a whole which was $23,755. With reference to Table 16, in Windham County, the median earning of individuals varied from a low of $11,875 for Marlboro to a high of $23,393 for Vernon.

Table 16: Median Earnings by Town, 1999

|Town |Median Earnings |

|Vernon |$23,393 |

|Dummerston |$22,882 |

|Newfane |$22,872 |

|Grafton |$22,419 |

|Guildford |$22,340 |

|Westminster |$22,135 |

|Dover |$21,843 |

|Townshend |$21,296 |

|Brookline |$21,161 |

|Brattleboro |$21,073 |

|Rockingham |$20,850 |

|Whitingham |$20,643 |

|Stratton |$20,625 |

|Wardsboro |$20,320 |

|Londonderry |$20,112 |

|Wilmington |$20,000 |

|Athens |$19,605 |

|Windham |$19,602 |

|Jamaica |$19,514 |

|Halifax |$18,594 |

|Putney |$18,138 |

|Marlboro |$11,875 |

|Somerset |Undisclosed |

|Windham County |$20,960 |

|Vermont |$21,497 |

|United States |$23,755 |

Table 17 describes covered employment in Windham County by industry. In 2004, most (87.0%) of Windham County employment was through privately-owned industries compared to jobs in government (13.0%). Private-industry employment can be divided into service-providing employment and goods producing employment, with 70.2% of employment in service-providing employment and 16.8% of employment in goods producing jobs.

Table 17: Windham County Covered Employment by Industry in 2004

|Industry |Count |Percent |

|Government Ownership |2,992 |13.0% |

|Private Ownership |19,985 |87.0% |

|Service Providing |16,118 |70.2% |

|Accommodation and food services |3,275 |14.3% |

|Retail trade |2,809 |12.2% |

|Health care and social assistance |2,539 |11.1% |

|Wholesale trade |1,586 |6.9% |

|Educational services |1,469 |6.4% |

|Other services, except public administration |692 |3.0% |

|Finance and insurance |643 |2.8% |

|Administrative and waste services |685 |3.0% |

|Information |339 |1.5% |

|Real estate |289 |1.3% |

|Arts, entertainment, and recreation |162 |0.7% |

|Professional, scientific, and technical services |D |D |

|Management of companies and enterprises |D |D |

|Transportation and warehousing |D |D |

|Utilities |D |D |

|Goods Producing |3,867 |16.8% |

|Manufacturing |2,488 |10.8% |

|Construction |1,103 |4.8% |

|Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting |D |D |

|Mining |D |D |

Source: Vermont Department of Labor, 2005

Focus group participants indicated that they would like to continue working if they are healthy and, along with survey respondents, would like to see employment opportunities for seniors expanded in Windham County. Approximately 75% of survey respondents believe that expanding employment opportunities for the elderly to support successful aging is a high/medium priority.

As Vermont’s population ages and it’s working age population begins to decline, there will be an impact on the labor pool and ultimately the state’s economy.

Income and Poverty Status

This section describes the income and poverty trends within Windham County and in comparison to rates in Vermont and the United States. In reference to Table 18, Windham County’s median household income of $38,204 in 2000 was somewhat lower than the median household incomes in both Vermont ($40,856) and the U.S. ($41,994). Windham County’s per capita income (the sum of the total income of residents age 15 or older in a geographic area divided by the total population in that area) of $20,533 was relatively equivalent to that of Vermont ($20,625) and just slightly lower than the U.S. ($21,587).

Living in poverty is defined as having a total household income less than the poverty threshold specified for the applicable family size, age of householder, and number of related children under 18 present. In 1999, the poverty threshold in the U.S. for a family of four with two dependents under 18 years of age was $16,895. Based upon data from the 2000 Census, Windham County which had a rate of 6.1% of families living below the poverty level fared slightly better than the state (6.3%) and significantly better than the nation (9.2%).

The 1999 poverty threshold in the U.S. for an individual was $8,501. Based on 2000 U.S. Census data, 9.4% of individuals in both Windham County and Vermont were living below the poverty threshold compared to 12.4% of individuals nationwide.

Table 18: Selected Economic Indicators, 2000

| |Windham County |Vermont |National |

|Median1 household income2 (1999) |$38,204 |$40,856 |$41,994 |

|Per capita income3 |$20,533 |$20,625 |$21,587 |

|Percent of families below poverty |6.1% |6.3% |9.2% |

|level4 | | | |

|Percent of individuals below poverty |9.4% |9.4% |12.4% |

|level4 | | | |

1The median is the middle number in a given sequence of numbers; median household income would be the household income for which half of all household incomes fall above it and half of all household incomes fall below it

2Household income is the total sum of all money income received in calendar year by household members age 15 and older, whether related to head of household or not

3Per capita income is the mean income computed for every man, woman, and child in a particular group. It is derived by dividing the total income of a particular group by the total population in that group.

4Living in poverty is defined as having a total family income or unrelated individual income in the household less than the poverty threshold specified for the applicable family size, age of householder, and number of related children under 18 present; 1999 poverty threshold for family of 4: $16,895; 1999 threshold for individuals: $8,501

Source: US Census Bureau, 2000

Throughout Windham County, income can vary by town. Table 19 depicts the median adjusted income by town. In 2004, Vernon had the highest median adjusted income at $37,677, compared to Athens with a median adjusted income of $21,454.

Table 19: Median Adjusted Income by Town, 2004

|Town |Median Adjusted Income |

|Vernon |$37,677 |

|Dummerston |$33,632 |

|Marlboro |$32,614 |

|Brookline |$31,665 |

|Guilford |$30,609 |

|Grafton |$30,404 |

|Newfane |$29,480 |

|Halifax |$29,425 |

|Westminster |$29,351 |

|Whitingham |$29,103 |

|Townshend |$26,893 |

|Windham |$26,723 |

|Stratton |$26,619 |

|Putney |$25,852 |

|Dover |$25,551 |

|Brattleboro |$25,196 |

|Jamaica |$24,778 |

|Londonderry |$24,774 |

|Rockingham |$24,198 |

|Wilmington |$24,066 |

|Wardsboro |$23,222 |

|Athens |$21,454 |

|Somerset |D |

D= Data which cannot be disclosed.

Source: Vermont Department of Taxes, 2005

With reference to Table 20, the number of low-income households (below 80% of the area median income) with householders age 62 and older increased from 2000-2005 and is expected to continue to increase through 2010. The largest increase observed from 2000-2005, of 11.5%, was among the group with incomes 6 months |4.0 |

| |Never obtained placement |4.0 |

|Tried to obtain professional home health assistance in past 5 |Yes |27.7 |

|years |No |72.3 |

| | | |

|Length of wait to obtain professional home health assistance |No wait |44.9 |

| |< 1 week |23.1 |

| |1 week - 1 month |25.6 |

| |1 - 6 months |6.4 |

|Provide regular care for… |Elderly/disabled person |18.5 |

| |Grandchild |5.8 |

| | | |

|Number of elderly/disabled persons help care for |1 |67.3 |

| |2 |23.6 |

| |3 |7.3 |

| |4 |1.8 |

|Health Insurance |Uninsured/pay out of pocket |4.9 |

| |Medicaid |16.8 |

| |Medicare |53.4 |

| |Medigap |10.1 |

| |Private |52.4 |

| |Other insurance |8.5 |

|Health Care |Have a regular medical provider |97.2 |

| |Have a regular dental practitioner |75.3 |

| |Use alternative therapies |31.9 |

Appendix V: Interview and Focus Group Guide

Welcome and Introductions (10 min.)

Introduce self and describe role, have recorder introduce his/herself and describe role

Ask participants to introduce themselves and to share how long they have lived/worked in Windham County.

Overview & Rationale (2 min)

The goal of this project is to compile the qualitative and quantitative data necessary to inform the development of a plan to support healthy aging and to meet the continuing needs of an aging population in Windham County. The plan will be based on an analysis of state and local data including an assessment of the assets, needs, perceived preferences and available resources within the region. A community environment that supports healthy aging must include opportunities for social contact and housing, transportation, ready access to stores, places of worship, libraries, recreation and entertainment and the full range of health services.

Purpose of Meeting (2 min)

1. To collect information from interviewees/participants on their understanding of community assets, issues and priorities, gaps and resources related to healthy aging in Windham County

2. To create a vision that will guide the development of a plan based on qualitative and quantitative data to support healthy aging in Windham County.

Review Group Agreement (2 min)

Introduce guidelines for the group. Ask if any participant would like to add additional items.

1. Sharing of Ideas

2. Respectful Listening

3. Holding of Judgment

4. Confidentiality

5. Respect for Time

Introductory Exercise (25 min)

Assess the age of the group and adjust questions, as appropriate. Participants may use their own definitions for ‘healthy’ and ‘frail’.

1. Imagine you are in your 70’s or older and you are healthy and living in Windham County. Take a minute to think about what your life is like or would be like. What is your day like?

Allow for a moment or two of silence for participants to think about their responses.

• Join with a partner and take 2 minutes each to share your response to each of the following questions.

a) What is the best thing about growing older in Windham County?

b) What is the most difficult thing?

Ask participants who are willing to share their answers. Write key words on newsprint if possible (3 min)

2. Now imagine that you are in your 70's or older and you are frail and living in Windham County. Take a minute to think about what your life is like.

Allow for a moment or two of silence for participants to think about their responses.

• Join with a partner and take 2 minutes each to share with each other your response to each of the following questions.

a) What is the best thing about growing older in Windham County?

b) What is the most difficult thing?

Ask participants who are willing to share their answers. Write key words on newsprint if possible - Ask for group to reflect on these responses and share their thoughts.(3 min) Now ask group to consider the following questions.

Questions (50 min)

Introduce this portion of the focus group by explaining to participants that the questions are about assets, issues/challenges, resources and gaps. Adjust language to meet the needs of the group.

1. What are the assets (people, places, things) in Windham County that make Windham County a good place to live as you are aging?

2. What are the issues/challenges in Windham County that may make it a more difficult place to live as you are aging?

(If interviewee or focus group does not address issues related to transportation, housing, support services and health/ medical services, educational and cultural opportunities, entertainment and recreational opportunities please ask if they have any issues related to any of the above areas that they have not addressed.)

3. What are the current resources that support healthy aging in Windham County?

4. Where are the gaps?

5. What is your vision of a Windham County that supports successful aging? Activity:

Imagine that it is 5 years from now. Community members, and maybe you, have been successful in efforts to create a community in Windham County that supports successful aging for the healthy and the frail, what does it look like?

• Give each participant a blank piece of paper and a pencil

• Allow a few minutes for the participants to think about the question and write/draw their response to the question on paper - use present tense.

• Ask participants to share a thought.

• Summarize.

• Collect participant's visions.

6. Do you have any additional comments/reflection?

7. Who else should we be talking to?

Thank you for taking the time to participate in this focus group/interview.

Next Steps - (5 min)

• Compile data from interviews, focus groups, and existing data. Individual information will remain confidential.

• Survey community members.

• Analyze data and develop a preliminary report and present to the Advisory Group.

• Conduct community meetings to share findings and discuss strategies with community members.

Appendix VI: Interview and Focus Group Participants

|Name | |City/Town |

|Patricia |Akeley |Brattleboro |

|Beverly |Alberts |Brattleboro |

|Sally |Andrews |Marlboro |

|Joe |Armstrong |Brattleboro |

|Arthur |Avery |Dummerston |

|Janet |Avery |Dummerston |

|Joyce |Ballantine |Jamaica |

|Carol |Barry |Brattleboro |

|Lynn |Bedell |Brattleboro |

|Henry |Belisle |Bellows Falls |

|Scott |Belt |Brattleboro |

|Lisa |Bergeron |Brattleboro |

|Regina |Borden |Saxtons River |

|Darcy |Brown |Brattleboro |

|Tom |Buchanan |Bondville |

|Hannah |Bucossi |Brattleboro |

|Lynne |Buehler |Grafton |

|Jen |Carroll |Brattleboro |

|Caitlin |Cheslawski |Brattleboro |

|George |Clark |Brattleboro |

|Gladys |Clemens |Brattleboro |

|Mildred |Coe |Bellows Falls |

|Janice |Cominoli |Townshend |

|Tom |Consolino |Wilmington |

|Wendy |Cornwell |Brattleboro |

|Sue |Cota |Saxtons River |

|Janet |Cramer |Brattleboro |

|Robert |Crego |Townshend |

|Rose |Cretelle |Bellows Falls |

|Marion |Crosby |Bellows Falls |

|Ruby |Cushman |Saxtons River |

|Richard |Davis |Guilford |

|Susan |Davis |Guilford |

|Fran |DeFlorio |Brattleboro |

|David |DeFossess |Brattleboro |

|Pat |Dion |Bellows Falls |

|Kate |Dodge |Putney |

|David |Dunn |Brattleboro |

|Ray |Enello |Dummerston |

|Judy |Enello |Dummerston |

|Virginia |Ferguson |Bellows Falls |

|Jennifer |Fitzgerald |Wilmington |

|Ruth |Fleming |Brattleboro |

|Peggy |Floume |Jamaica |

|Kay |Frazer |Saxtons River |

|Marie |Frenette |Bellows Falls |

|Ronnie |Friedman |Westminster |

|Jenny |Gelfan |Springfield |

|Harriet |Gelfan |Brattleboro |

|Frankie |Gibson |Brattleboro |

|Kendall |Gifford |Brattleboro |

|Lucy |Gratwick |Marlboro |

|Elizabeth |Greentow |Putney |

|Michael |Gregg |Guilford |

|Betty |Haggerty |Bellows Falls |

|Christina |Haggerty |Springfield |

|Jennifer |Hale |Brattleboro |

|Pete |Harrison |Westminster |

|Christine |Hart |W. Brattleboro |

|Gerry |Harty | |

|Kathy |Holloway |Brattleboro |

|Ellen |Howard |Bellows Falls |

|Amy |Howlett |Grafton |

|Richard |Jackson |West Townsend |

|Linda |James |Bellows Falls |

|Robyn |Jenks |Putney |

|Kay |Johnson |Bellows Falls |

|John |Kristensen |Brattleboro |

|Emily |Kunreuther |Marlboro |

|Peg |Larsen | |

|Jim |Larsen | |

|Joyce |Lemire |Springfield |

|Andrea |Livermore |Brattleboro |

|Catherine |Lowery |Brattleboro |

|Caren |MacDonald |Wardsboro |

|James |Matteau |Brattleboro |

|Janice |Melin |Brattleboro |

|Elaine |Meyer |Townshend |

|Helen |Miller |Rockingham |

|Lori |Miller |Westminster |

|Dick |Miller |Westminster |

|Joyce |Miller | |

|Sandy |Morrison |Grafton |

|Judy |Morton |Putney |

|Jordan |Mosher |Saxtons River |

|Elaine |Murray |Jamaica |

|Mary |Oberly |Brattleboro |

|Ann |O'Sullivan |Wilmington |

|Patti |Paguette |Brattleboro |

|Lynwood |Paine |Bellows Falls |

|Susan |Parris |Brattleboro |

|Darlene |Perkins |Brattleboro |

|Shirley |Perkins |Dummerston |

|Jean |Pett |Brattleboro |

|Karen |Podsiedick |Brattleboro |

|Gloria |Priest |Putney |

|Julie |Prybylo | |

|Bridget |Reynolds | |

|Bess |Richardson |West Dummerston |

|Charlie |Richardson |West Dummerston |

|Germaine |Romano |Bellows Falls |

|Romey |Romano |Bellows Falls |

|Valerie |Rooney |Grafton |

|Elaine |Scott |Townshend |

|Adrian |Segar |Marlboro |

|Jeanne |Semonite | |

|Edith |Serke |Windham |

|Joyce |Sheehan |Brattleboro |

|Laura |Slade |Townshend |

|Ed |Smith |Brattleboro |

|Barney |Smith | |

|Edith |Snide |Bellows Falls |

|Jean |Stone |Townshend |

|Candace |Stoumen |Brattleboro |

|Caroline |Szuch |North Walpole |

|Marian |Taschereau |Brattleboro |

|Lucy |Taylor |Bellows Falls |

|Barbara |Ternes |Bellows Falls |

|Lynn |Thayer |Saxtons River |

|Larry |Therien |Chester |

|Anne |Tobey |Dummerston |

|Marie |Waite |Brattleboro |

|Karen |Walter |Putney |

|Frank |Walter |Westminster |

|Gaynol |Wapotich |Brattleboro |

|Jean |Ward |Brattleboro |

|Debbie |Waryas |Brattleboro |

|Jeanette |White |Putney |

|Dianna |Wichland |West Townsend |

|John |Wilcox |Dummerston |

|Cindy |Wilcox |Dummerston |

|Susan |Wilkins |Bellows Falls |

|Debbie |Williams |Brattleboro |

|Julia |Williams |Brattleboro |

|Jennifer |Wilson |Brattleboro |

|Margaret |Wimberger |Williamsville |

|Kate |Wolff |Brattleboro |

Appendix VII: Vision Statements from Focus Groups and Interviews

• Local town collaboration for senior housing, assisted living and nursing care. Say 2 to 5 towns.

Central recreation centers that could provide activities for all ages – therapeutic to active.

There would be scheduled transportation to these centers and people could spend all day or several hours.

Adult day services

Swimming

Exercise

Education classes

Café – coffee shop

Trips to museums or parks

Information to resources

Cares groups in each town

• A series of senior centers (3-4) scattered throughout Windham that would be part nursing home, assisted living quarters and unassisted living quarters. Each would be a self-contained facility with such services as a general store, recreation center, medical clinic and park. Transportation would be provided by vans. Rent would be on a sliding scale according to income.

• Have more options for “continuing care” housing/services.

- downsizing

- moving in increments: assisted living…skilled care

- must be affordable

Public transportation: accessibility/affordability

Enrichment opportunities

- education

- recreation

- arts

Access to shopping/medical

Multiaged programs

- older people can be stimulated by interaction with youngsters

• - Affordable housing for seniors, be it single house or condos, community living

- Public transportation available on more than main routes

- Monthly activities held in various places in the community for seniors

- Classes are available, art, photography, etc.

- Bus trips

- Hiking groups for people who are able to participate

- Bird watching

• - Single story senior housing

- Transportation, adequate to shopping, medical facilities

- Organizations like Westminster Cares that have the funds to provide rides, companionships, visitation, assistance with fuel, utilities, and other homeowner problems

- Networks for support

• - More affordable housing with parking nearby

- A transportation system on a better schedule

- More part-time jobs for the elderly that need extra income but not strenuous

- More senior adult activities such as painting and quilting

• A successful community for aging-in-place (part of any goal in aging) will have created a variety of housing options, so, I wish, I could live in a separate house near others, with snow removal, general maintenance chores, heating/cooling costs, etc. Shared with like-minded but independent neighbors. There would be a central coordinator to whom I could go to volunteer services and/or ask for them on a fee for service basis. For those unable to pay the fees there would be a rotating endowment fund to meet needs not covered by governmental services. Transportation, via bus and private car would be available, especially with volunteer drivers earning stipends.

• Village centers have shops and services that meet peoples’ basic needs. There are walk able-have natural areas-and if in more rural areas have regionally scheduled transportation to the more populated centers. Offer the ability for co-hosing and other “downscaled” living options, so people can live closer together and support one another longer. This mini population center also offers efficiencies to service providers cutting down on the miles necessary to travel to clients homes. Zoning regulations that support alternative living that is appropriate for the elderly.

• - Affordable housing

- Accessible housing

- reliable, affordable transportation

- Method of coordinating required services, that makes them more affordable and useful

- Places to exercise and walk

- Accessible sidewalks in communities

- Organized volunteer networks

- Universal health care

- Opportunity for intergenerational activities

• - Each town has plan that adopts recommendations from this assessment

- One organization that has a paid staff position focusing on startup and getting established innovative plans to make Windham County healthier

- There is a park and walking trails near downtown areas

- There are co-housing units available for all income levels and age levels

- Public transportation is invested in and single care driving is discouraged

- Downtown – Main Street is car free like Church Street in Burlington or Pearl Street in Boulder

- The health care cooperative is up and running and used by a majority of citizens

- A public education campaign continues on the value and benefits of aging

• - Creation of a county wide resource that can respond to upcoming challenges in the region/explore creative ideas/work on implementing innovative program that meet our needs

- Support the expansion of Cares programs

- A serious push to explore ways that affordable, appropriate housing is made available for the community

- Easily accessible transportation

- Affordable housing with sliding scale taxes for elderly/disabled/fixed income individuals

- Volunteer opportunities that are meaningful (AmeriCorps, tutoring, mentoring) Use of the wisdom of the elderly

- Education for delivery/service people (gas, meter readers, mail delivery, taxi drivers, bus drivers) – what are the signs of change and causes for concern with regards to elders. It should be part of wrap around services to ensure quick, responsive system.

• - A variety of housing options from “living in a drafty old house but resident has somebody to call” to “manage situation all under one roof – multiple buildings or one building.”

- Covered, outdoor space

- “Intentional community” – community of houses created a community of peoples who are compatible, shared things – lawn equipment, bicycles, garbage, diversity of ages, multiple skills within the community that support the community

• Affordable housing for everyone

• A productive social life for seniors.

• Conveyor belts- better access of services to seniors and seniors to services

• Better funding to support people staying at home

• More community awareness of what the needs are to encourage neighbors to volunteer to help. If people were more aware they’d help each other out.

• Pooling resources to avoid duplication and waste to increase resources to more people.

• Improved job status for direct care workers, and better pay

• Small senior housing units in small towns

• More community based activities- indoor pool, affordable recreation, matinees at theaters

• Medication discounts

• Universal health care

• Raising income level for middle class so they receive necessary services

- Very rural areas have a van with a nurse practitioner (clinic on wheels).

• Caregivers encouraged to take care of themselves and avail themselves of support (respite)

• Sufficient resources and support for seniors to stay at home

• Decreased taxes- tax relief for seniors

• Re-establish railroad service and other options less car dependent options

• Drop-in day time programs; with nurse, personal care, day time theater, perhaps with a pre-school attached.

• Lots of programs in rural areas

• Better food for all

• Affordable housing.

• Self contained community includes on-site meal plans, medical staff, and transportation to and from activities that runs on a regular schedule (i.e. hourly). Housekeeping if needed. Errand services, grocery, medical needs. Financial services. Community garden. Social activities. Soundproofing between apartments in senior housing. All utilities included in senior housing (cable, phone).

• I would think I was in heaven for sure if all the discussed problems were fixed. It would be a pleasure to get up every morning and see a beautiful world out there without all the clouds distorting the real world.

• Clean smooth sidewalk. No one without proper care at home. Phone surcharge dropped. Medicare and Medicaid pay all elderly medical bills. Transportation anywhere, at any time, free for elderly. Meals of choice delivered to elderly shut-ins. free trip, concerts, theater, movies for elderly.

• The elderly have a nice, warm place to live. Enough food, things to do. Good health care. Good friends and family.

• All the elderly will be living in good housing, with help if they need at any time just for the asking. No one will be turned down. If they get sick or disabled, there will be sufficient care in nursing homes for everyone. No mater how much money they have or don’t have.

• My vision for Windham County aging population would be not to be living in fear of catastrophic events—does that mean finding alternative energy sources? Does that mean closing down VT Yankee? I dream of having some homes down by the Connecticut River (I am now in Brattleboro) and Wantastiquet Drive has been made into a loop of group homes—all with a view of the river and mountain—the air is pure and clean, the water is pure and drinkable, and the ‘complex’ or whatever it would be called would be a place for elders and frail folks to feel like it was a place that was their home. It would be staffed by exceptional people—and it would be a Caring Community of Elders.

• Transportation to and from each apt. Laundry perhaps and deli. Everyone has his or her own parking space. Indoor shuffleboard, large entertainment room. Indoor swimming pool, sauna, all utilities included (phone and cable).

• There is affordable housing, with transportation, stores, sidewalks, and community services, healthcare, recreation.

• There is a continuum of care/services, including small, volunteer assistance.

• There is an annual census of older people to track their condition/needs.

• Older persons are recognized as a resource.

• There are intergenerational activities

• There is an awareness of people’s needs.

• There are regular get-togethers of older citizens.

• 1) A complex of small cottages with an assisted living building, a nursing home and a community building; 2) A building with exercise equipment and a chat room, pool and area to play cards, etc, a comfortable spot for when you need company; 3) Affordable assisted living units with a club house and clinic (example - volunteer musicians could offer to come in and do their practice sessions); 4) an affordable day care place for young struggling mothers; 5) Everybody contribute to a trust fund so that children could go to college; 6) need more young people to do volunteer work; and 7) people that would take elderly people that no longer drive for a ride on Sunday afternoons to get them out.

• Respect for aging

• Aging – making the plan

• Financial planning

• Gray Panthers

• - More senior housing

- More public transportation

- Council on Aging office in town

- Home for people who need help – nursing homes, assisted living, etc.

• - The tax rate would be so high that no one can stay here.

- More places to eat but not pizza.

• - Programs at high school with seniors tell stories

- Hourly bus routes

- Daily programs for seniors to attend

• - Sidewalks are fixed

- Businesses are handicapped accessible

- Senior Center has grown in membership

- Recreation center is build and used by seniors for walking and swimming

more businesses move into region and taxes become less burdensome.

- Fuel goes down in price or stabilizes.

• - Grocery store/supermarket

- Hospital

- Wheelchair accessible restaurants

- Recreation Center

- Parks Place

- Nursing Home(s)

- More wheelchair access

- More jobs

• - Transportation – door to door on demand, in evening as well as daytime

- Improved communications to the elderly – telephone trees and ways to connect on a regular basis to people who are isolated

- A new recreation center for the town with easy access for the elderly – indoor pool, waling track, snack bar

- Supermarket in town with reasonable prices

- Improved care for seniors – assisted living, nursing home, hospital

• - Improved transportation system

- Medical and dental services available to all

- Handicapped availability for all public places

- More resources (financial) available to such services as Senior Centers, VNAs, social service centers

- Food stores, locally

• - A shopping center

- Good medical resources

- Accessible restaurants

- Dental and eye care plans

- Jobs

- Transportation

- Recreation Center with wheelchair access

• - Hospital

- Shopping center

- More handicap accessible places

- Part-time jobs

• - Continue to live in their own individual, possibly isolated, home but with services making it possible to live there alone

- “Co-housing” situation at different levels – all under one roof with a manager but each an individual apartment or room or several individual houses or attached buildings all sharing some facilities, etc.

• - Small communities have affordable, accessible housing with easy access to stores, banks, church, etc.

- Have network (listing) of people who could help with small chores that need doing either volunteer or very inexpensive

- Cares groups have progressed to point of being able to provide all needed services to those who need and want them

• There is intentional community.

- A group of people plan to build houses in close proximity some share houses, some don’t but they all share resources such as lawn mowers, snow blowers, garbage disposal, gardening, recreation (maybe community bicycles or even motorcycles)

- Also share the human resources they have (retired health professionals, plumbers, carpenters, car mechanics, teachers) as well as young people who are working in the community

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[1] The 2000 Census family household figures do not include couples in civil unions or married, same-sex couples because the laws on civil unions and same-sex marriages were enacted after the Census was conducted, on April 1, 2000.

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